The World Health Organization has recognized sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas), known in Chinese as “Fanshu (蕃薯)” or “Digga (地瓜),” as one of the top ten vegetables. Thanks to their remarkable nutritional value and culinary versatility, they have been cultivated in Taiwan for centuries and are a staple agricultural product.
The history of sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes, native to Central and South America, were domesticated over 5,000 years ago by ancient civilizations like the Inca. They were cultivated by indigenous peoples long before the arrival of European explorers. Christopher Columbus introduced them to Europe after his 1492 expedition, and by the late 16th century, they had made their way to China via Spanish or Portuguese traders. The crop thrived in Fujian province, helping to combat famine due to its ability to grow in poor soils.
In 1624, during the Dutch colonial rule in Taiwan, settlers brought sweet potatoes from China. Initially viewed as a survival food with poor texture and used mainly to feed pigs, they eventually became essential to Taiwanese cuisine and culture. During Zheng Chenggong’s (Koxinga) invasion of Taiwan to expel the Dutch, sweet potatoes played a key role as they were grown to feed his troops.
Watch the following video on ”The Legend of Sweet Potatoes” for more interesting images.
The significance of sweet potatoes to Taiwan
Sweet potatoes were once a vital food for many Taiwanese, especially during hard times when rice was scarce. Families often mixed dried sweet potato shreds into rice to reduce the amount of the expensive grain. Roasted sweet potatoes were also served as a simple snack when desserts were unavailable. Over the last 400 years, this humble root vegetable has evolved from a symbol of poverty to a modern health food.
Farmers continue to find new ways to elevate their value, making them a cherished part of Taiwan’s culture and cuisine. Companies have also capitalized on this trend by creating new products such as sweet potato cakes and snacks, turning what was once low-value food into a fashionable specialty that can be found in various souvenir shops and even convenience stores across Taiwan.
In particular, with its elongated shape resembling the outline of Taiwan, sweet potato has long been associated with the country’s spirit of resilient vitality.
Sweet potato leisure farms in Taiwan
Across Taiwan, there are many leisure farms that offer hands-on experiences with sweet potatoes. Visitors can roast them in traditional clay bonfire kilns or brick kilns. Some of these farms also pass down an important message to the younger generation: “Reap what you sow.” Children are taught how to plant and harvest sweet potatoes, helping them understand the experiences of their ancestors.
It’s a fun way to enjoy farm life while bonding over sweet potato roasting, a skill many older generations of Taiwanese have perfected. Brick kilns ensure a cleaner baking process, and sweet potatoes roasted in the kiln’s fire chamber turn golden and sweet on the inside despite their sooty exterior.
Nutritional value of sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are nutritious, packing a good amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, and manganese into each serving. They also have anticancer properties and may promote immune function and other health benefits.
Eating sweet potatoes is believed to improve a person’s qi and promote the health of the lungs and stomach. They can also help balance blood sugar levels and maintain healthy eyesight. Many Taiwanese like to eat sweet potato soup with yam and ice. It is also popular to eat sweet potato soup with red beans and ice cubes in the summer to beat the heat, and sweet potato soup boiled with ginger in the winter to keep warm.
Additionally, once used as pig feed, sweet potato leaves were recently found to contain more nutrients than many other common leafy vegetables. They are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like iron and calcium.
As a result, stir-fried sweet potato leaves have become a popular dish at home and in restaurants. Today, Taiwanese people also enjoy sweet potato leaves boiled or in soups. When applied as a poultice, the leaves are also said to help reduce or eliminate pus-infected areas.
Sweet potato plantations in Taiwan
Sweet potatoes are widely cultivated across Taiwan, with Changhua, Yunlin, and Tainan accounting for two-thirds of the total cultivated area. The climate in these areas is ideal for growing them. Farmers often plant different varieties, including the popular red-fleshed, yellow-fleshed, and purple-fleshed types, each with unique flavor and texture.
However, in northern Taiwan’s New Taipei City, Jinshan has earned itself a nationwide reputation as the best place to grow fine sweet potatoes. Situated at the river mouth with a lot of wind, the fertile volcanic sandy soil is well-drained and rich in organic substances.
In Jinshan, Jinbaoli Old Street, many shops sell raw sweet potatoes and all kinds of sweet potato products, such as deep-fried sweet potato chips, candies, fries, roasted and frozen sweet potatoes, etc.
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
